The Viksit Bharat Ambassador Program in Srinagar has been focused on the economic reconstruction of Jammu and Kashmir's horticulture industry. The event, chaired by Hardeep Suri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, was a platform for dialogue.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, presented a charter of demands aimed at advancing the sector in J&K. These demands included a 100% import duty on apples, a Crop Insurance Scheme, a Market Intervention Scheme for Grade "C" apples, reduced GST rates on horticulture inputs, subsidies on packaging materials, quality pesticide outlets, exclusive horticulture promotion funds, Tree Spray Oil classification as an agricultural product, a separate Horticulture Estate, and improved road connectivity, especially along the Mughal Road. The event concluded with a unanimous call to action to meet these demands to stimulate economic growth in the region.
Source: greaterkashmir.com